The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-05-21
RESOLUTIONS


For.
AT the closing session Of the National
Wool Growers Convention in ST. Louis,
the following preamble and resolutions
were presented by the committee on reso-
lutions, and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The Wool and Cotton Exchange
OF ST. Louis invited wool-growers, wool mer-.
chants and manufacturers OF woolens from all
parts Of the United States to meet in National
convention in this city on the 18th, 18th and 18th
days OF May, 1887, for the purpose of consulta.
ton as to the common interests OF the three
classes named; and
WHEREAS Numerous wool growers, wool
merchants and manufacturers of woOlens have
accordingly assembled in the said city in Ma.
tional convention, being the second National
convention OF persons representing the three
interests mentioned, and have deliberated upon
subjects in which they have a common interest
and desire to give expression to some of their
opinions and purposes therefore
ReS0lUod First That this National Conven-
ton cordially invites the wool-growers, wool
merchants and manufa turers Of woolens in the
United States to cooperate with, encourage
and aid the National Wool.GrOwers' Associa-
ton, the State and Territorial Wool-Growers'
associations of the United States, the several
wool-merchants' associations Of the cities OF
the United States, the National Association of
Wooden Manufacturers, and all similar organ
iZations in securing such administration Of the
laws, such legislation and such action us may
be appropriate and necessary TO promote their
JOINT and common interests, having due regard
to the interests of those engaged in all other
industries.
Second That while the Wool Tariff act of
March B, 1888 continues in force, We request
the Administration of the National Govern
ment to construe its provisions literally, with
q view to secure the beneficial effects of pro-
lection to the wool and wooden industries of
the United States deciding. all doubtful ques-
tons in such manner rs to give American
wool-grOwers and wooden manufacturers the
privilege of supplying the American market
instead Of giving il to foreigners and we ask
that sOcalled ring waste, "gGrneted waste"
and all similar secured products be Classed in
the language Of the said act of 1883, as wool
imported in any other than ordinary cond-
ton and be charged as such with the duty OF
sixty cents per pound. We ask that worsted
cloths known rs "coatings' and "suitiugs' for
the purposes OF paying duties be classed as
wooden cloths and we request that prompt and
| ei1clent measures be taken TO prevent under
| valuations of wool, wooden and worsted goods,
and to detect and punish all such uuleryaua-
| lions and other frauds upon the law.
Third. That the Tariff act of 1888, even when
| IL is not eyaded by undeiyaluauons and other
! frauds has failed to give protection 10 wool
growers to the extent intended in good faith by.
| its trainers. They intended 10 give all clothing
wool as specified in the act, protective duties
| higher than on carpet woods. But more than
half OF all sO-called carpet woods, now imported
| at low rate of duty, are used in the manu-
| facture of clothing goods, thus defeating to.
| lIaJ EXTENT Lnb purpose OF ln6 dcJ OF 1909. anu
| to add to the evil the act imposes no higher
| duty on these carpet woods washed than UNI
! washed The result is that such woods are
| generally imported washed, thus paying duty
| of but little more than one-haf the rate
| specified for unwashed wool, equal only to
about about fourteen and one-half cents per
| pound, and so increasing their importation.
! supplantng to large extent American cloth
| ing wool, and deprivng it of the protection in
tended to be afforded to it by the act of 1883, to-
| wit: A duty of at least twenty cents per pound
| on washed clothing wool. In like manner the act
| OF 1888 imposes no higher duty on washed
| than on unwashed combing woods. Importers
have taken advantage of this to generally inn
| port such W OILS washed. thus giving to our
| American long woods but little over half the
| protection specified in the act OF 1888 on IN
washed woods. Then. again, foreign clothing
woods are imported unwashed, but so fully di-
vested of leg, belly and britch portion of
| fleeces, and so selected from the lightest and
best grades, that in practical effect the duty
| actually paid is but little over half the rate
| fixed by the act of 1888 as applied TO such
woods, II in the condition in which American
| unwashed woods are generally sold in market.
| In these forms the protection which the trainers
of the act of 1888 intended should be afforded
| thereby TO American wool-growers is in large
| measure defeated. These facts call for change
| in the execution of the law and speedy modi-
fication of it by Congress, so that it shall give
| the full measure of protection intended by its
| trainers
Fourth. That experience under the act of
| March 3, 1888, has demonstrated that IL has so
| reduced the previous rates of duty on woods
| that the annual imports of foreign woods Of all
| classes have largely increased, thereby de-
| priying American wool-growers OF the privilege
| of supplying our market with American wool;
| that its effect has been to discourage Amerl-
can wool production to reduce the number of
| American focks and sheep and our annual wool
product; that it has encouraged foreign wool
growing to the prejudice of our own to such an
| extent as to threaten the speedy destruction
! WOOl-nrOWln9 ".
the States, and hence public policy,
good faith and justice require an in
crease OF duties, 10 save from ruin this industry
| in which citizens of the United States were, by
the act of March 2, 1887, invited to, and did in
| vest their capital and employ their skill and
labor. Having thus acted on the faith of a
policy established by Congress, its overthrow
| is an act of spOliation and wrong.
Fifth. That this convention request Congress
| to so amend the existing tariff law as in due
time to secure to American woolgrowers and
| TO American manufacturers of woolens the
| American market for their products.
| Sixth. That the continuance Of the act of
March 3, 1888, will be unjust to the American
| woolgrowers and manufacturers The i'm
mense frauds which have been perpetrated by
undervaluations ana eyasons, show the neces-
sity for an immediate amendment imposing
the penalty of forfeiture for underyaluations
and evasions and providing inducements for
informers to detect all frauds and evasions.
Seventh. That the associations OF Wool-groW-
ers, wool merchants and wOollen manutactur-
ers be, and are requested to act in concert, in
sending delegates to Washington City, to re-
main during the next session of Congress to
urge upon the proper committees and upon
Congress the necessity Of legislation in accord
ance with these resolutions.
Eighth That the wool growers organizations
of the country are requested TO secure the serv-
ices Of at least one able expert, whose duty it
shall be to argue before the Treasury Depart
ment and the courts, all questions as to the CON
struction and enforcement Of the Tariff law, and
before the proper committees OF Congress the
necessity for additional legislation.
Ninth. That the associations OF wooden manu-
facturers be requested to retain and keep in
their employ at least one able expert to render
such services as may be essential to their in
terests.
Tenth. That the wOol-growers, wool mer-
chants and wooden manufacturers of the United
States are urged TO attend the conventions Of
the political parties with which they may re
| spectively cooperate and, so far as possible,
| aid in securing the nomination OF candidates,
pledged to the reforms andlegislation desired.
Eleventh. That the associations Of WOOL
growers of wool merchants and wooden manu-
facturers be, and are, requested TO take the
necessary measures to secure the establish
ment OF an ably-conducted weekly newspaper
devoted to the advocacy Of their just and Joint
| interests.
Twelfth That this convention earnestly re-
| quests the Wool-Growers' associations and
| Wool Merchants associations Of the country 10